Negar & Nima

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Iran, the birthplace of the Baha'i Faith


We entreat God to deliver the light of equity and the sun of justice from the thick clouds of waywardness, and cause them to shine forth upon men. No light can compare with the light of justice. The establishment of order in the world and the tranquillity of the nations depend upon it. - Baha'u'llah

From Wikipedia: Built in 1971, the architect, Hossein Amanat, won a competition to design the monument, which combines elements of Sassanid and Islamic architecture. Ironically, he practices a religion—the Bahá'í Faith—that is persecuted by the current government. Amanat integrated a degree of Baha'i symbology in the design, such as having exactly nine stripes on each side, and exactly nine windows on either of the long sides of the structure. It is part of the Azadi cultural complex, located in Tehran's Azadi Square in an area of some 50,000 m². There are several fountains around the base of the tower and a museum underground.